Join us for three days of deep skills immersion in this hide tanning workshop.

We will be tanning with the smoketan (braintan) method, an ancient textile in resurgence. Along the way we will learn the history of hide tanning and explore the cultural and modern contexts of this craft.

The hides provided are wild deer skins, salvaged during hunting season. Each one was skinned with the tanner's pull method to ensure the highest quality hide.

Each participant works with their own deer skin, from start to finish. A farm fresh lunchtime meal and hot beverages are provided each day.

As always, take home your own creation at the end.

TICKET PRICE

*Holiday special until Dec 26: $290
Regular 3-day weekend: $325
Indigenous, POC, and elders' price: $300

Price includes catered lunch and drinks and your own take-home buckskin.

*Bursaries and payment plans are available.Email crowsnest.wildcraft@gmail.com to enquire.

Accommodations are available. Email to enquire.

SCHEDULE

Friday:
9:30am: Introductions
10:30am: Graining and membraning
4:30pm: Neutralizing

Saturday:
9:30am: Braining and wringing
11:00am: Softening and drying

Sunday:
9:30am: Set up for smoking
12:00pm: Smoking hides; history and information
4:30pm: Closing

SOURCES

The hides for this class were sourced from western Montana, on Shoshone territory, during the 2018 hunting season. Hides were ethically sourced and salvaged from hunters.
The teacher is artisan tanner Mara Cur, trained in western Montana hide tanning traditions.
The method of tanning is smoketanning, also called braintanning. This style of smoketanning is mainly Scottish, uaing a bucking solution and hand softening (not frame softening).

*

This event is taking place on unceded Kwantlen First Nation territory. We respect the unique traditions each Indigenous nations and strive to decolonize all our relationships.